These are not the Druids you were expecting

Saturday

STOCKTON - Inside Grace United Methodist Church's fellowship hall sit about 50 members and friends of a dying civic organization.

STOCKTON - Inside Grace United Methodist Church's fellowship hall sit about 50 members and friends of a dying civic organization.

Like the Freemasons before it, this group traces its historical roots back more than 200 years to a religious order in England. But it long has ceased adhering to a spiritual heritage.

Evergreen Circle No. 15 United Ancient Order of Druids was instituted in Stockton in 1901 and is the longest-active group of Druidic women in California. Like many fraternal organizations, Stockton's Druids find it difficult to attract new people. Many members are in their 80s and 90s.

The club holds an informal monthly dinner meeting. Taffeta dresses, drill teams and formal events are things of the past.

"We've really gotten away from that in the last several years," said Gloria Crawford, a member of Evergreen Circle who served as California's grand arch Druidess, or state president, in 2006-07.

The order was established in 1775 in England, and is based on ancient Druidic beliefs of benevolence and education. California's first circle formed in 1859 in Placerville.

Druids grant scholarships to deserving students, annually pick a charity to support through fundraising and plan community programs. Members can be covered by low-cost hospital insurance and say they enjoy the camaraderie of their fellow members. Winston Churchill reportedly belonged to a Druidic group.

The Druids' symbol is a seven-pointed star, representing shared virtues that include honor, hope and charity. Members say modern Druids share nothing in common with the sacrificial religious group associated with Stonehenge in England.

"We don't eat people anymore," Cazale said with a laugh.

Ancient Druids were pagans who worshipped the natural environment, sun and stars. According to historians, their primary geographical location was in the British Isles, notably Ireland and Wales. But, they say, that was the last stronghold of the religious order and archeological evidence of their influence has been found throughout Europe, Asia and the Americas.

Druids were known for their intellect. Ancient writings state that kings sent their sons to Druidic orders for educational training.

But not much remains of their shadowy existence. In the 18th century, the teachings of ancient Druids were adapted for more modern times, and the fraternal organization has continued since.

Many groves (men's groups) and circles (women's groups) have closed, leaving only a handful throughout California.

"It's not a religion anymore," member Rita Aniotzbehere said. "But it is a good group of people."